Obituary for Marsha Ann Kolar (Courtley)
Marsha Ann Kolar passed away November 18th after a long battle with cancer. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.
Marsha was born May 18th, 1948, in Baden, PA; the first of six children to her parents Patricia and John Courtley. As a young child, Marsha and her parents moved to Detroit, MI, where she graduated from Cody High School. She continued her studies at EMU, and eventually began her career at the EMU Library. She was loved by colleagues and students alike during her more than 20 years there, several of whom became lifelong friends and remained close with her after retirement and throughout the remainder of her life.
Marsha enjoyed life, and was dearly loved by her family and her many friends. She was incredibly kind and gentle, with a huge heart and an infectious laugh that accompanied her great sense of humor. Marsha’s positive attitude enabled her to fight with conviction and grace for the many years her cancer endured. She gave of herself unselfishly. She became a strong advocate of cancer research, participating in many fundraising events as well as serving as a legislative advocate for the American Cancer Society in Lansing.
Marsha loved to learn new things, which led to her learning to play the piano later in life. Her husband Mike loved to listen to her play, even as she practiced in the early stages of learning. As with most challenges Marsha had taken on in her life, she learned it well, which led to her compose her own piece of music.
Marsha enjoyed reading, with a particular love for children’s literature. Her nieces and nephews love to read with their “favorite Aunt Marsha”. This led her to publish a book based on a bedtime story she often told her sons, and later her nieces and nephews, titled “Little Brave Bear”.
Marsha was very close with her siblings. It was always a treat to be with them anytime they were together; you were bound to get caught up in at least one laughing fit, and you always felt welcomed and loved. She exemplified what it means to be family.
Marsha would say that her greatest accomplishment was her beautiful and loving relationship with her husband Mike. Married for more than 30 years, they built a beautiful life together that included travel, adventure, appreciation for music and the arts, love of family, and always great conversation! Marsha always said that Mike was the greatest thing to ever happen to her, and that she cherished the day they met.
Marsha is preceded in death by her son David, her sister Vicki, and her parents, Patricia and John Courtley. She is survived by her husband Mike, her son Curtis, her grandson Diante and great grandson Billie, her sisters Carole and Patricia, her brothers John and Jeffery, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will be holding a celebration of life after the holidays. Future date will be announced on the Nie Funeral Home website.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Marsha.
Marsha was born May 18th, 1948, in Baden, PA; the first of six children to her parents Patricia and John Courtley. As a young child, Marsha and her parents moved to Detroit, MI, where she graduated from Cody High School. She continued her studies at EMU, and eventually began her career at the EMU Library. She was loved by colleagues and students alike during her more than 20 years there, several of whom became lifelong friends and remained close with her after retirement and throughout the remainder of her life.
Marsha enjoyed life, and was dearly loved by her family and her many friends. She was incredibly kind and gentle, with a huge heart and an infectious laugh that accompanied her great sense of humor. Marsha’s positive attitude enabled her to fight with conviction and grace for the many years her cancer endured. She gave of herself unselfishly. She became a strong advocate of cancer research, participating in many fundraising events as well as serving as a legislative advocate for the American Cancer Society in Lansing.
Marsha loved to learn new things, which led to her learning to play the piano later in life. Her husband Mike loved to listen to her play, even as she practiced in the early stages of learning. As with most challenges Marsha had taken on in her life, she learned it well, which led to her compose her own piece of music.
Marsha enjoyed reading, with a particular love for children’s literature. Her nieces and nephews love to read with their “favorite Aunt Marsha”. This led her to publish a book based on a bedtime story she often told her sons, and later her nieces and nephews, titled “Little Brave Bear”.
Marsha was very close with her siblings. It was always a treat to be with them anytime they were together; you were bound to get caught up in at least one laughing fit, and you always felt welcomed and loved. She exemplified what it means to be family.
Marsha would say that her greatest accomplishment was her beautiful and loving relationship with her husband Mike. Married for more than 30 years, they built a beautiful life together that included travel, adventure, appreciation for music and the arts, love of family, and always great conversation! Marsha always said that Mike was the greatest thing to ever happen to her, and that she cherished the day they met.
Marsha is preceded in death by her son David, her sister Vicki, and her parents, Patricia and John Courtley. She is survived by her husband Mike, her son Curtis, her grandson Diante and great grandson Billie, her sisters Carole and Patricia, her brothers John and Jeffery, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will be holding a celebration of life after the holidays. Future date will be announced on the Nie Funeral Home website.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Marsha.